Preview: Cardiff City vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

The Bluebirds managed a narrow away success at Watford last time out, whilst the Lilywhites reignited their top-six dreams with a victory over Ipswich Town.

Match preview

After three-straight losses across the Championship and the FA Cup - in which they conceded 10 goals - last weekend's 1-0 victory at Vicarage Road against Watford was just what the doctor ordered for Cardiff City and Erol Bulut, who had started to come under pressure from sections of the fanbase.

A fine strike from ex-Blackpool winger Josh Bowler in the 43rd minute was enough to seal maximum points over Valerien Ismael's men, who have now failed to find the back of the net in three-successive matches as their playoff ambitions hit a major stumbling block as the campaign approaches its business end.

Following only their second Championship win in six contests, the Bluebirds moved up to 13th place in the second-tier standings, sitting five points behind sixth-placed Hull City, who appear to be the real deal after the January arrivals of Fabio Carvalho and Anass Zaroury.

Cardiff also made a number of notable acquisitions during the mid-season trading point, with David Turnbull, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Nat Phillips and former Bristol City marksman Famara Diedhiou all making their debuts in the narrow victory in Hertfordshire last weekend against Watford.

The Bluebirds have collected just the single point from their last four Championship matches at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Bulut and his men last earning maximum points in the Welsh capital on December 9, when a second-half header from centre-back Dimitrios Goutas sealed a one-goal win over Millwall.

Preston produced another inspired performance at their Deepdale home last Saturday to earn only their second win of the calendar year, with a brilliant brace from Will Keane and a George Edmundson own goal proving to be enough to collect three points from Premier League-chasing Ipswich.

The visiting Tractor Boys found themselves three goals behind within the opening 39 minutes of the Lancashire contest, and although Kieffer Moore's double on his debut for the club provided a nervy finish to the match, the Lilywhites were able to hold on for a much-needed success.

After collecting seven points from their last four second-tier clashes, Ryan Lowe's men have moved up to 10th in the league standings, just three points behind the playoff positions, with Saturday's visitors hoping to improve on three-straight midtable finishes in recent seasons.

The Lilywhites were one of the few Championship outfits who did not welcome any new signings through their doors during the January transfer window, meaning that they will need to rely on the goalscoring abilities of Keane and Milutin Osmajic for the remainder of the term, with the forward duo combining for 15 league goals so far.

Preston have failed to win any of their last five visits to the Cardiff City Stadium, and you have to go back to December 2017 for their most-recent success in the Welsh capital, when a 90th-minute strike from right-back Tom Clarke was enough to get the better of Neil Warnock's Bluebirds.

Cardiff City Championship form:

D

L

W

L

L

W

Cardiff City form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

L

W

Preston North End Championship form:

L

L

W

L

D

W

Preston North End form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

D

W

Team News

Cardiff welcomed Aaron Ramsey back into the matchday squad for the first time since September at Watford last time out, and the Wales legend could be set for a cameo off the bench on Saturday.

The Bluebirds remain without the services of winger Callum O'Dowda, who has taken up a spot in the medical room with a leg injury since early September.

Saturday's hosts are also unable to call upon the talents of Joe Ralls due to a groin issue, meaning Manolis Siopis and Ryan Wintle are set to continue in the engine room.

After netting a brace against Ipswich, Keane will keep his spot in Preston's XI, although it is unclear whether Emil Riis Jakobsen or Osmajic will join the ex-Wigan Athletic man in attack.

The Lilywhites have benefitted massively from the return to action of both Brad Potts and summer signing Liam Millar, with the wing-back duo expected to start once again on the weekend.

Following a solid display prior to the arrival of Moore onto the pitch last time out, Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay and Andrew Hughes will retain their spots in defence.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup:

Alnwick; Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins; Bowler, Wintle, Siopis, Grant; Colwill, Etete

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Frokjaer-Jensen, Millar; Jakobsen, Keane

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Preston North End

Cardiff earned a much-needed three points at Watford last Saturday, and with a host of January arrivals set for their home debuts, it could be a good afternoon for the Bluebirds against Preston.

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